Got sky-high energy bills? Here are some useful hints in saving energy at home. Take on these advices and see the results for yourself!

1. Save on electricity. Never ever boil water in an open pot. Water boils faster in a covered pot. This is because heat is locked within the pot and hot air does not evaporate.

2. Always keep the refrigerator coils clean. Clogged refrigerator coils make it hard to maintain the cold on the food in side.

3. In baking, use ceramic or glass pans rather than tin pans. Use of such materials for baking lowers the cooking temperature by 25 degrees.

4. Avoid defrosting food from the microwave. Instead, place the food in the refrigerator or the kitchen sink to defrost it.

5. Instead of using the dishwasher's air dry cycle, do it manually. Have your dishes sit on the countertop and let it air dry.

6. Use your dishwasher because it saves more water than hand-washing your dishes.

7. Reduce the moisture by wrapping everything stored in the refrigerator. This would stop the condenser from overworking itself.

8. Turn down the thermostat. Save up to 5% on heating costs by lowering the heater ten degrees lower than the usual. Wearing warm clothing both during the day and the evening would help keep you warm.

9. Turn off lights when not in use. Unplug appliances that are not in use. Turn off kitchen and bathroom exhausts after they have done their job. In short, stop wasting energy.

10.Keep the water heater's setting to "Normal" this would save you 7-11% of water heating costs.

11.Cut your showering time. Lessen shower heating costs as well as water consumption by not staying under the shower too long.

12.Efficiently use your appliances. Instead of making rounds of a few dishes or clothes on your washers, why not maximize the use of these appliances and at the same time cut the energy costs.

13.Put the computer and monitor to sleep if you have to leave the computer for 5 to 15 minutes. This will cut the wattage consumed by your computer.

14.Installing low flow showerheads will save you 10-16% of water heating costs.

15.Try wrapping the hot water tank with jacket insulation. But be sure to leave the air intake vent uncovered when insulating a gas water heater. Using this would save you up to 10% on water heating costs.

16.Installing a programmable heat thermostat can save you 15% on energy costs. This works well with heat pumps.

17.Increasing the ceiling insulation reduce heating costs by 5-25%.

18.Stop ductworks from leaking. Seal ducts and save more than 25% on heating costs.

19.New furnaces are more energy efficient than the old models.

20.Consider replacing your older model refrigerator, especially if older than 10 years. Older models can often use over three times than energy of the newer models.

21.When washing clothes, use warm or cold water and rinse with sold water. Instead of using the dryers, air-dry the clothes outside.

22.Close the fireplace damper and keep the opening shut when not in use.

23.During the heating season, open south-facing window coverings during the day. Keep all the window coverings at night to prevent the heat from escaping.

24.Install foam gaskets behind the electric outlet and switch plate covers.

25.Install automatic setback thermostats that adjust the room temperature in accordance to your daily schedule.

26.Having a do-it-yourself weather stripping and caulking installed to seal off air leaks will help you save energy in the long run. Sealing all the perimeter wall penetrations and floor and ceiling penetrations will stop all the air movement between the unheated and heated spaces.

27.Use motion sensors and timers for security devices instead. Having security devices installed doesn't mean you don't have to save on energy.

28.Replacing the halogen torchiere floor lamp wit a CFL model would not only save on energy but it's safer to use too.

29. Tune up furnace filters annually and replace them too. The dirtier the filter is, the harder it would be for the fan furnace to work.

30.Install a metal sheet fireplace cover.